At least two people lost their lives on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, after a lorry plunged into River Nithi from the notorious Nithi Bridge in Tharaka Nithi County.
The vehicle was transporting green bananas from Meru to Nairobi when it reportedly lost control and veered off the bridge before crashing into the river below.
According to eyewitnesses, the lorry was descending toward the bridge at high speed, suggesting possible brake failure. Photos from the scene showed the front of the truck completely wrecked, with parts of its body submerged in the river.
Tharaka Nithi County Police Commander Zaccheus Ngeno confirmed the incident, saying one body had been retrieved from the wreckage as rescue efforts continued to locate the remaining victims.
The Nithi Bridge is infamous across Kenya for its deadly record. Locals often refer to it as a killer bridge because of the steep slope and sharp bend that make it one of the most dangerous stretches along the Meru Nairobi highway.
In September 2024, twelve people died at the same bridge after two vehicles collided head on. Police later revealed that one of the drivers was unfamiliar with the road and had been driving on the wrong lane.
Residents expressed outrage on Tuesday, accusing the government of failing to act despite repeated promises to fix the bridge. They recalled a public assurance made by President William Ruto in August when he told Tharaka Nithi leaders that the procurement process for the construction of a new bridge had already started.
The president said the project would cost about seven billion shillings and promised to complete it at all costs.
However, residents now say those words have not been followed by action. They blame the government for neglecting a site that has claimed dozens of lives over the years.
Transport experts have also identified the area as a black spot, warning that poor engineering and lack of regular maintenance continue to endanger motorists.
